Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

[Guest]

Hello,

First I would like to say that I know nothing about powder coating.

I am getting an old aluminum bicycle frame powder coated in Jollipop Copper.

here is the product link:http://www.powderbuythepound.com/cat...roducts_id=423

The place will first sandblast for me and then will powder coat. They had me order the color and said it should be fine, but warned that is it semi transparent.

That got me thinking that it may look better if there is an undercoat or if I polish the aluminum first. They told me after they sand blast they would give the frame back and I could polish it. Which is no problem for me, if i know what works best to do this.

Can anyone give me advice on this. Also, if polishing is a good ides could you give any products or details on how I should polish to leave the frame ready to powder coat.

Thanks,

Gabe

[CRAVED]

Re: Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

Hi Gabe


you can polish it up if you are really keen a bike frame after blasting wont be much fun to polish without some mechanical help.

Most people use a silver or "chrome powder" base to undercoat the transparent powder - which one you use will depend on how dark you want the finished product to me, the less reflective the base coat is then darker it will appear.

Silver's with a metallic flake in it will add the look of a metallic into the transparent colour you have ordered. and will be much easier for you than polishing.

if you want to polish it, then polish as normal then use very hot water and soap to clean off the compounds and then clean with acetone as a final before you hand it over - then rest of the cleaning will be up to your coater.

[Guest]

Re: Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

(SNIP)That got me thinking that it may look better if there is an undercoat or if I polish the aluminum first. They told me after they sand blast they would give the frame back and I could polish it. (SNIP)

It would be totally miserable to try to polish the frame after blasting!

Better would be to have them basecoat with a "Chrome" or sparkle silver powder - pretty standard when using a transparent topcoat.

"Chrome" (bright silver, not metallic looking) will give you a different look (softer, smoother) from a sparkle silver (high metallic) base - especially noticeable in bright sunlight.

Either looks nice, but it seems like most people prefer the metallic base for the sparkle.

EDIT: Sorry Craved, I didn't see your reply before I wrote mine - what he said!


Jay V
IL

[Guest]

Re: Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

two people trying to help at one time, I would say that is a good thing..!

[Guest]

Re: Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

Craved and Jay V,

Thanks for the advice. It sounds like the $25 or so for the base coat will easily pay for itself in time, polish, and a new buffing wheel for my angle grinder. How much more work is this for the coater, in other words should I expect to pay much more for coating?

Now for the base color, I really like the way the valve cover in the sample looks. If I could get anything near this I would be quite happy. Pretty much what ever you recommend I will end up using. Specific names would be quite helpful.

I am really at your mercy here, and I do greatly appreciate your advice.

Thanks again,

Gabe

[wiseguyz]

Re: Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

If I remember correctly, the valve cover in the picture was shot over a reflective chrome basecoat. It would be much less expensive for you if your time is worth anything to go with a basecoat rather than polishing. You'd spend days polishing a frame to that level. Additional coats usually cost an additional 50% (at least when I do them), so if I were going to charge you $50 do do a part, if you wanted (or needed) an additional coat (whether it be basecoat or topcoat or clear, whatever) it would be an additional $25. Ask your coater. I'm sure that rate varies somewhat. A basecoat/topcoat will cost a bit more than a single color job. All you need to decide now is, do you want it to look like that cover, or do you want metallic underneath? Reflective chrome gives you that nice even color. Silver Stardust basecoat gives you a nice subtle metallic, and the Silver Explosion is a much more pronounced, but very nice. heavy metallic. Or you could add pearl of the same or different colors for even more exotic effects. Possibilities are endless.

Best of luck.

[Guest]

Re: Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

OK,

I have it down to 3, the chromes look kind of the same, and silver explosion seems to have the most character, but it seems a bit retro to me.

SILVER EXPLOSION

PATENTED ULTIMATE CHROME

X-TREME CHROME-METALLIC

Will all of these colors work for the base coat? Are there any other chromes that may be better as a base coat, or will any powder work as the base?

Thanks,

Gabe

[JNZFinishing]

Re: Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

I did a VC using the Jollipop Copper over Ultimate Chrome, came out nice. Gives it a nice, deep look. The Silver Explosion would be nice too, so you can't go wrong with either of those bases I think.

[Guest]

Re: Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

I'm diggin the Explosion (that's for you Wise)

[baz]

Re: Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

I'm diggin the Explosion (that's for you Wise)

polishing an aluminium bicycle frame after blasting could be a nightmare if your not familiar with polishing and you will need more than just a new wheel on your buffer.
i have worked with extreme chrome with nice results .
depending of how they blasted the frame if they left a heavy profile on it you could try to sand it down before coating
this would help the extreme chrome layer to be smoother for a better reflection

[Guest]

Re: Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

I'm diggin the Explosion (that's for you Wise)

You really need a hobby.

Harley

[Guest]

Re: Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

Hello,

I am back to post the results, there is no fun in giving advice if you don't get to see the results.

Thanks to everyone for their input, the coater sent me the pics today of the frame.

I posted them here:

http://www.powderbuythepound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1082

Thanks,
Gabe

[Guest]

Re: Jollipop Copper over Aluminum Question

Hello,

I am back to post the results, there is no fun in giving advice if you don't get to see the results.

Thanks to everyone for their input, the coater sent me the pics today of the frame.

I posted them here:

http://www.powderbuythepound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1082

Thanks,
Gabe

The bike turned out awesome Gabe. You'll have to show us the bike altogether.

Harley